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24 December 2024
An “Awareness Training and Consultation Meeting on Illegal Refrigerant Trade” was held in Istanbul under the coordination of the Directorate of Climate Change.
The meeting brought together specialized customs directorates authorized to carry out clearance procedures for substances that deplete the ozone layer and fluorinated greenhouse gases, as well as a wide range of other relevant customs units.
Aimed at strengthening capacity to combat illegal refrigerant trade, the meeting opened with remarks by Volkan Polat, Head of the Monitoring of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Department at the Directorate of Climate Change, and Süleyman Yılmaz, UNIDO Türkiye Representative.
Following the opening addresses, experts from the Directorate of Climate Change delivered presentations titled “Legislation on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases and National Practices” and “The Hydrofluorocarbon Control Certificate Process and Illegal Refrigerant Trade.”
The presentations explored the relevant regulatory framework, the international significance of illegal refrigerant trade, common trafficking routes, and methods of combating illicit activities.
The meeting also featured an online presentation by Liazzat Rabbiosi, Programme Officer at the Ozone Secretariat, focusing on illegal refrigerant trade.
Technical briefings on refrigerant gas analyzers planned for active use at customs in the fight against illegal trade were delivered by Refrigeration and HVAC consultant Vasil Eftimov in a presentation titled “Use of Refrigerant Gas Analyzers.”
In addition, Refrigeration Expert Anis Dhaouadi shared key information on how to address illegal trade at customs in his presentation, “Good Practices for Combating Illegal Trade at Customs.”
Throughout the day, participants reviewed international reports on illegal refrigerant trade, cases involving Türkiye, and the main challenges faced in this field.
Extensive exchanges of information and experience were held with the Directorate General of Customs and the Directorate General of Customs Enforcement of the Ministry of Trade, as well as relevant customs offices, to strengthen cooperation in combating illegal refrigerant trade.
The meeting was organized under the coordination of the Directorate of Climate Change, with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade’s Directorate General of Customs and Directorate General of Customs Enforcement.